Star Becomes, the best bet of autumn days

of Larry Goichman Star Becomes earned his second career stakes triumph with an impressive victory for trainer Jorge Abreu in the $150,000 Fall Days for fillies and mares 3 years and up, sprinting six furlongs over Aqueduct Hippodromeoutdoor lawn course on November 27.

The 4-year-old child Fastnet Rock filly added to a win at Galway last year at Saratoga Racecoursewhere he closed to earn a head-to-head victory over Illegal smile . Star Devine showed different tactics in the Fall Days and followed close to the pace under Jose Ortiz, pulling away in the race for a 1 1/4-length victory.

Star Devine broke well from post 7 in the eight-horse field, dropping to the lane of three to lie in wait Athwaaq , who covered the first quarter mile in :23.05 over the good leg. Star Devine put his nose in front as the field rounded the turn, with Mail order swinging by four widths and advancing towards those who keep peace. Change of Control and Lady Edith started their bids from the middle and back of the pack, respectively, after a half-mile in :46.83.

Star Devine was alone in the lead as the field moved to lead to the wire, but was threatened by Lady Edith and Change of Control as the two advanced into the center of the course. Star Devine still had enough to hold on for the win in a time of 1:11.78.

“Today, it looks like the speed held up. Jose knows her from before when he rode her at Kentucky Downs,” Abreu said. “I told him to warm it up pretty good and keep it in front just because of the way the play was played today.”

Bred in Ireland by Rockhart Trading, Star Devine was purchased for $258,109 at Tattersalls October Yearling 2019. She returned $8.40 to win.

Change of Control was second by a length to Lady Edith, who dropped the stablemate Honey pants by three-quarters of a length for third. Athwaaq, Gogo shoes , Hit Woah and Mail Order completed the finishing order.

Longshot Eloquist by a nose in the Discovery Stakes
Cash belongs to King and LC Racing Eloquent showed determination when he turned the three-time New York-bred stakes winner Barea to score his third straight and first in the stakes in the $150,000 Discovery at Aqueduct’s 78th round.

Eloquist, de Nyquist , entered the nine-furlong race for 3-year-olds with back-to-back wins at the optional claiming level, going one mile and 70 yards. After two unsuccessful stake attempts, Eloquist went wire to wire and held his nose over a Barese play.

Eloquist, under Paco Lopez, led, with Barese on the inside in second, through the opening quarter-mile in :24.07 over the muddy, sealed main track. Eloquist and Barese, ridden by Manny Franco, went nearly 1-2 through a half-mile in :48.49, with Saint Tapit coming out of the fray near the far turn.

By the quarter pole, both horses were in a total road with very little between them, distancing themselves from the rest of the field. The enthusiasts crossed the finish line in tandem, with the win by a nose going to Eloquist, who paid $33.80 after 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.33.

Coach Butch Reid Jr. was “definitely nervous” about the photo finish.

“It looked like we got beaten but he got a good nod and we should have been lucky,” Reid said.

The leading pair finished five lengths ahead of third place Naval aviator . Completing the finishing order were Winit , Affable monarch Saint Tapit, and Be better .

Eloquist, the longest hitter in the field, collected $82,500, bringing his lifetime earnings to $243,010. His record is 5-0-0 in 12 starts.

Reid won Eloquist over the summer, which he said made all the difference.

Bred in Kentucky by Idlewood Farm and Indian Creek, Eloquist is out of the running Press it mare Our Gal El and was purchased for $70,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale.

Video: Autumn Days S. (BT)

Video: Discovery S. (BT)

This press release has been edited for content and style by the BloodHorse staff.